The project is looking to build on the success of previous grizzled skipper work parties and would like to invite you all to join me yet again this winter to undertake some more volunteer work on sites that provide important habitat to support the Grizzled Skipper butterfly across the south Nottinghamshire network of sites (including in Rushcliffe). I am still talking with landowners to confirm access agreements are in place but in the meantime I am proposing to hold this year’s volunteers work parties on Saturday 8th November 2014 , Sunday 7th December 2014, Saturday 24th January 2015, Sunday 22nd February 2015 – all are 10 am to 3pm, meeting point to be confirmed and if you would like to be notified of the meeting points once available, please E Mail chris.jackson@nottscc.gov.uk
As a result of our efforts last year we have once again seen some very quick and positive responses (during the spring) from the very species that we have been trying to assist with our work. In mid-May earlier this year, a Grizzled Skipper butterfly was seen at its most northerly location on the disused railway line between Cotham and Newark (several hundred meters north of any previous records). A day later we heard of yet more success on the disused railway running between Bingham and Barnstone, a Grizzled Skipper was seen on the wing on the section of the railway near to Granby. This was the first sighting for a minimum of ten years (possibly fifteen). I hope this news will inspire you to join us once again this winter.
Chris Jackson (Notts Biodiversity Action Group Officer)
A supplementary – congrats to Butterfly Conservation on their successful bid, in which SITA will be funding a new project to enhance Grizzeled Skipper habitats in the Vale of Belvior. Part of the logic behind this project is as an extension to the already succesful south Nottinghamshire GS project and of course improvments in the GS population in areas adjacent to Rushcliffe will also benefit our GS populations in the future. So good news all round.